Thursday, July 28, 2005

Very Distressing

In an astonishing setback for the shuttle program, NASA on Wednesday grounded future flights because the foam debris that led to the Columbia disaster still poses a risk to space missions.Even though the space agency doesn't think the lives of the seven astronauts are in danger, it plans a closer inspection of the spacecraft."You have to admit when you're wrong. We were wrong," said shuttle program manager Bill Parsons. "We need to do some work here, and so we're telling you right now, that the ... foam should not have come off. It came off. We've got to go do something about that."

It is so upsetting to find out that NASA hasn't yet solved the problem that caused the Columbia disaster this way, when seven people are still up in orbit, with their lives possibly in immediate danger. I wonder why NASA felt in necessary, though, to publicize the decision to ground future shuttle flights now, when there is a shuttle still in the air. This development must be extremely distressing for the loved ones waiting for the seven Discovery astronauts to return home safely. I pray for them to have a safe journey and a safe return home.

i think the shuttle program is a liability. It makes NASA look like an overblown, underthought space debacle. I pray the shuttle lands safely and they don't return to space until a new vehicle is created. The 1970's are long over. It's time.

Until then, this insulation problem, an issue that has consistently reappeared since the first shuttle flight, will continue to generate bad press for a once remarkable agency.